Sandy Hagen Dance: Halvor Jr. News

(Click "Articles" to see newspaper clippings about Halvor Jr.)

Update August 2009:
Halvor continues to show improvement. He is walking slowly on a treadmill for half an hour, 3 times a week. Halvor has continued to improve cognitively and is now reading books. This year Halvor went to the New Orleans Jazzfest, and continues participating in Skiing and Baseball with Special Olympics and canoeing and Windsurfing with Access Sports. Halvor also continues volunteer teaching with the PE instrutors at the Hanson (grammer) School and the Middle School in Canton.

Update Dec. 2006:
It is a continuing blessing and wonder to see Halvor Jr. start and finish each day with a smile on his face. He really is inspiring.
This Fall, Halvor Jr. has been volunteer teaching 3 days a week as an assistant to the Coach, at the elementary school he attended, in Canton.
Halvor Jr. and his mother are writing his story of recovery, to be included as a chapter in a book to be published next year.
At this point, it looks like the money from the fund raiser should be going to some form of "medical intervention" possibly in the form of stem cell injection or electrode implants.
We are trying to keep aware of medical and thereputic advances in the field. If you hear of some new research or therapy, please feel free to contact Sandy at: hagendance@aol.com.

Update Feb. 2006:
Halvor Jr. has finally obtained the wheelchair van, with funds from the VA. The van has been fitted with a ramp, and a special clamp for holding the chair in place. Hopefully this will make it easier for the family to get Halvor out of the house more often, and become more active.

Update March 4, 2005:
Halvor Jr. now has his electric wheelchair! The V.A. paid for the "basic" chair, and it is a great one. The money from our fund raiser paid for the additional components to raise him up and down, and tilt, so he can look people in the face when he talks to them, and get up to counter height, etc. The rest of the money should be going to Halvor Jr's first stem cell injection later this year. Also, today we are looking at a wheelchair van! Bless you all!

iBot Update: July 28, 2004
The people at Johnson & Johnson were very helpful and very honest. Unfortunately, the iBot is not right for Halvor Jr. You need full use of both hands and both arms to use its special features. We didn't know until we saw it, that you need both hands to guide it up stairs. The on/off switch is on the right side, and cannot be relocated to the left side. If you are not exactly straight-on or perpendicular to curbs and hills, it can tip; and Halvor Jr. would not be able to recover. It's a very heavy chair. So, the money we raised for the iBot will be put to other uses: other chairs and equipment that Halvor may need. We will also keep our ears open to news on stem cell research, and other developments.

Update March 27, 200404
Johnson & Johnson has scheduled Halvor Jr. for a mid-May appointment to test-drive the iBot and be evaluated! - We are finally on our way!

Last Fall (2003) Johnson & Johnson opened an evaluation and training center for the iBot wheelchair in California. Halvor Jr. and his family are eagerly awaiting the planned opening of another center in New Jersey, some time in early 2004.

This Winter (2003-2004), Halvor Jr. is busy with his ongoing rehabilitation. He is taking a computer training class, learning to box and play tennis with the Mass Head Injury Community Program; skiing with his father and the VA, working out at the Elite Gym; going to physical therapy at the VA once a week; and continuing his conditioning with his mom. Every morning, he spends time at the Community Rehabilitation center in Quincy working on independent living skills.

HALVOR JR. MAKES THE GRADE
In May 2003, Halvor Jr. finished the last six hours of academic work on his master's degree in criminal justice. He was awarded his degree by Anna Maria College with his delighted mother looking on at graduation. (Halvor was about to finish his coursework back in December 2000 when he had his accident.)

If you would like to send Halvor Jr. your congratulations, email him at hrhagenjr@comcast.net

SANDY SETS THE STAGE
update Spring 2003
Halvor Jr.'s increasing independence has allowed Sandy to spend more time on her own work. This spring, she was able to take her first staging and choreography job since Halvor Jr.'s accident. She flew to Las Vegas to revamp "Fever: A Tribute to Peggy Lee," starring Buddy Grecco and Leslie Anders. Sandy was able to transform the show from a concert style to a musical revue style before the show landed in Boston in May 2003. Sandy and "Fever" will be in Las Vegas August 2003. Then look for the show in your city as it goes on tour.

WHAT A NIGHT!
update Fall 2003
On October 4th, 2002, Sandy Hagen brought the flavor of New Orleans to New England at a party to benefit her son, Halvor Hagen, Jr. Radio personality Ron Della Chiesa presided over the event, which was organized by Sandy's devoted friends and students. Singer Bradley Walthall came all the way from New Orleans--leaving Hurricane Lily in her wake--to entertain the crowd in true French Quarter style. Showman Earl Lamartiniere (also from "Nawlins") lead the raucous Second Line dance. And entertainer Joe Tremaine flew in from LA to help Sandy teach the salsa.

Halvor Jr. shook his head in wonder at the crowd of 200 party-goers, including many of his long-time friends from Canton. Somehow his mom had managed to keep the event a surprise. We sang happy birthday to Halvor, who celebrated his 26th birthday on October 14th.

We have placed all the funds--more than $50,000 so far--in the Halvor R. Hagen, Jr. Special Needs Trust. The money will be used to buy an iBOT wheelchair as soon as it is available. Designed by famed inventor Dean Kamen, the iBOT can rise on its wheels to navigate curbs, climb stairs, and lift its occupant to eye level. This exciting invention will give Halvor Jr. more longed-for independence.